China, Pakistan to build economic corridor

Beijing: China and Pakistan vowed to advance joint efforts to build a bilateral economic corridor as the leaders of the two countries signed an outline of the long-term plan of the project here on Saturday.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif witnessed the signing of the outline after their meeting in Beijing, Xinhua reported.

Calling the China-Pakistan economic corridor a "flagship" project to strengthen China's connectivity with neighbouring countries, Li said the initiative set the strategic framework for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.

The two nations should facilitate the development of Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan, strengthen cooperation in energy and electricity projects and plan industrial parks along the corridor, he said.

The China-Pakistan economic corridor was proposed in an agreement reached during Li's visit to Pakistan in May 2013.

It is aimed at connecting Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region with the Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

The two countries also signed documents on cooperation in areas like technologies, energy finance, industrial parks and communications Saturday.

Li said more than 20 agreements were signed during Sharif's visit. China is ready to establish "a community of common destiny" with its neighbour, he added.

Sharif also welcomed Chinese investment in Pakistan and promised to ensure the safety of Chinese people and institutions in his country.